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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks. You said it so much better and more eloquently than I could. It is hard to respond to some of these things without coming across as an attack.
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sent from <a href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;padding:0in"><b>From: </b><a href="mailto:woodworkers@lists.sawdusters.org">Brian Johnson via Woodworkers</a><br>
<b>Sent: </b>Monday, September 25, 2017 10:15 AM<br>
<b>To: </b><a href="mailto:woodworkers@lists.sawdusters.org">A place where woodworkers talk about woodworking</a><br>
<b>Cc: </b><a href="mailto:serversage@gmail.com">Brian Johnson</a><br>
<b>Subject: </b>Re: [Woodworkers] I'm done with the NFL</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Hey Dave -<br>
<br>
So I'm going to play a bit of Devil's Advocate on this one.<br>
<br>
As Americans we are given a set of innate rights. The first of which is <br>
"Freedom of Speech". This freedom includes the right to protest, and <br>
isn't limited to the poor, downtrodden, nor the rich and successful. <br>
It's a right we all share. This includes NFL players making WAY, WAY too <br>
much money (on that we totally agree).<br>
<br>
The NFL, as an organization, is also awarded this Freedom. If the NFL <br>
were to start limiting the freedoms of it's players they would be <br>
stomping on the rights that so many have fought and died to protect. <br>
While I don't agree with what Kaepernick started, I don't have a problem <br>
with him protesting in his own way. It's his right. There is nothing in <br>
the constitution that states we MUST stand and MUST place our hand on <br>
our heart during the anthem or we will be forced to leave the country. <br>
In fact, the right to NOT do so is protected under that first amendment.<br>
<br>
When our President stepped up onto his podium (twitter) and directly <br>
attacked the right to that protest, he was stepping outside the rights <br>
of the office he was elected to. He has the privilege to represent the <br>
United States and the Freedoms we all value, but he instead decided to <br>
throw dirt on those Freedoms. While the entirety of the NFL (players, <br>
staff, C-levels) likely don't agree with what Kaepernick was doing, they <br>
do agree that he has the right to protest in his way. The NFL decided to <br>
take a stand behind that Freedom. They aren't backing Kaepernick and <br>
what he stood for. They are backing his RIGHT to do what he was doing. <br>
They are showing a unified front against tyranny, the tyranny of our <br>
President directly stating that Kaepernick shouldn't be allowed to do <br>
what he was doing.<br>
<br>
Kaepernick's actions are not dissimilar to the right to burn the flag. <br>
That right has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Most of us don't agree <br>
with it, but it's being done as an extreme measure to bring attention to <br>
something that somebody believes strongly in. In this case, Kaepernick <br>
believes that African Americans are mistreated in the United States. Is <br>
he right? Probably. Is his form of protest the way to go about it?<br>
<br>
Consider this: We are all talking about it. He has forced an entire <br>
nation, even the world, to have a conversation about something that <br>
nobody was talking about previously. If 50,000 people from Harlem march <br>
in protest, it's briefly mentioned on the news and we all move on. But <br>
when a couple thousand rich folks link arms in solidarity? Funny how <br>
there is suddenly tons of attention on the subject.<br>
<br>
I, for one, applaud the NFL for not stomping on the rights of it's <br>
players and giving them the opportunity to institute real change, to be <br>
role models, to show that the voice of one person really can make a <br>
difference. I come from a family of veterans. My Grandpa was in WWII, my <br>
Dad was in Germany during Korea, both his brother served in the military <br>
during (relative) peacetime, my brother was in the Air Force during 9/11 <br>
and for years after, I was unlucky enough to not be able to serve. I <br>
respect every single individual that makes the choice to put on that <br>
uniform and make a stand for Freedom in the world. But, this is exactly <br>
what they fight for every single day. The right to do what Kaepernick, <br>
and subsequently the entirety of the NFL, have done.<br>
<br>
That said, you also have the right to turn off the TV and make a stand <br>
against the NFL. :)<br>
<br>
-Brian<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Dave Heitstuman via Woodworkers wrote:<br>
> First I am not a gotta watch it type of football fan. But I do pay<br>
> attention and when NASCAR is over I will watch the SeaChickens. If they<br>
> have the early game I generally will have the second game on. Although I<br>
> am not allowed to watch with my wife as I have a tendency to yell at the TV.<br>
><br>
> Kappernick started my disdain for the NFL when they said nothing. Then<br>
> Bennett started his little protest, which made me start thinking about<br>
> not watching the SeaChickens.<br>
><br>
> This weekend the NFL takes a stand. Well guess what NFL. Take your<br>
> stand. I am too. There will be no football on any TV in our household. I<br>
> hope your sponsors appreciate this.<br>
><br>
> I have said for years that the players are paid way too much. If they<br>
> feel that they need to protest then take some of that money and start a<br>
> worthwhile endeavor to get your message out. Who knows maybe I’ll even<br>
> support it.<br>
><br>
> In the meantime, when the national anthem starts, stand your ass up and<br>
> respect the flag.<br>
><br>
> Better yet take a lesson from NASCAR, sure it is basically a bunch of<br>
> southern boys and hillbillies but guess what they stand with their hats<br>
> off and hands over their hearts during the singing. At the end the<br>
> cheer. Why? Because they are true Americans.<br>
><br>
> At our local track the Canadians come down a couple of times a year. The<br>
> Canadian national anthem is played first, we stand and respect their<br>
> flag. And they stand and respect our flag. Respect, that is what it is<br>
> about.<br>
><br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
> I want to be one of my friends for a day so I can see how cool it is to hang out with me.<br>
> Woodworkers@lists.sawdusters.org<br>
><br>
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><br>
> Address to contact the list ADMIN staff -<br>
> woodworkers-owner@lists.sawdusters.org<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
I want to be one of my friends for a day so I can see how cool it is to hang out with me.<br>
Woodworkers@lists.sawdusters.org<br>
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